Former England captain and Manchester United striker apologised for an "unforgivable lack of judgment" after he was sentenced for being nearly three times the drink drive limit.

New Delhi: Everton striker Wayne Rooney was banned from driving and ordered to carry out unpaid community work after pleading guilty to drink-driving on Monday.

The former England captain and Manchester United striker apologised for an “unforgivable lack of judgement” after he was sentenced for being nearly three times the drink-drive limit on a night out while his pregnant wife and their three sons were on a holiday.

He was stopped by police when driving a woman’s black Volkswagen Beetle in Wilmslow, Cheshire, at 2 a.m. on September 1.

Rooney (31) was later arrested and bailed, and on Monday he appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ Court where he was banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.

Rooney‘s legal team asked District Judge John Temperley to consider not imposing a community order because of his ongoing charitable work.

However, the judge said he was “not convinced” that imposing a large fine “would have the same effect”. Rooney was also told to pay £85 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge for the same amount.

In a statement issued after the hearing, the Everton footballer said: “I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.

“I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career.

“Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.”

During the test conducted earlier after Rooney’s arrest, breathalyser showed the alcohol level was 104 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.